Browse Items (32 total)

This 12th-century Byzantine illuminated lectionary contains readings from all four Gospels (John, Matthew, Luke, and Mark) arranged in the order in which they would be read in church services throughout the liturgical year. This lectionary is divided…

The Fieschi Morgan Staurotheke is a Byzantine reliquary which most likely would have been used to carry fragments of the True Cross as well as other Christian relics. Its name is derived from its past owner, Pope Innocent IV (Sinibaldo Fieschi) as…

This ivory fragment is thick and conical, due to the natural curve of the elephant tusk from which it is carved. The high relief creates extreme shadows and contrast between the warrior and the background. Although the ivory is worn, the warrior’s…

This ring of St. Nicholas was most likely created during the 13th century, and it was created in a way to make it look like it was the gemstone jasper. This ring came to the museum along with many others as part of a gemstone collection that…

Solidi were the highest denomination of coins in the sixth and seventh centuries in the Byzantine Empire. Made of gold, they were used to make substantial payments like a year’s taxes or a purchase of a manuscript. This solidus shows the Emperor…

A collection of six silver plates depicting the story of David and Goliath, utilizing scenes from the Old testament of the Bible. The plates were used for display in a noble person's house. Byzantine work, made in Constantinople, and found in Cyprus.…

This figural sculpture presented is possibly representative of two mythological Gods from the Greek antiquity, Dionysius or Pan. Dionysius is known as the God of fertility and wildlife but also wine. Pan is known as the God of flocks and pastures…

The body of this light green jug was free-blown, while the handle and other decorative threads were added by hand. This glass jug was excavated from Beth Shean in present-day Israel. This object was found in the North Cemetery IV, Tomb 207, along…

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Russia, Isidore of Kiev, copied the second century Pros mathēmatikous (Against the Professors) originally written by the Pyrrhonist and Empiric philosopher Sextus Empiricus. The manuscript critiques learning at the…

This pair of Kolti were hollow pendants to allow for perfume to waft from the wearer. They were hung over the heads and attached to strings of pearls on nobles in Byzantium. Made to look symmetrical, koltis were intended to hang on both sides of the…